12 Unmissable Things To Do In Copenhagen At Night

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If you have never been to Copenhagen you are surely missing out on a lot. The city welcomes tourists from all over the world and though it may seem like it is ideal for elite travelers, there are so many things to do for tourists traveling on a budget too. Especially if you are a night owl.

Since Copenhagen is easy to get around on foot, you can get to your favorite destinations without a cost. Heading into the city center from your hotel you will see Copenhagen's most popular sights like Nyhavn and Strøget. Or you can walk around the trendy Meatpacking district of Vesterbro, dine and have a glass of Danish beer on Blagaards Plads and Sankt Hans Torv square.

For those staying in Copenhagen Denmark for a few days, the city offers a Copenhagen City Card, a pass that lets you get into museums, castles, art galleries, and many of the city's attractions for free. Getting one means you get free public transport too, so you can explore Copenhagen day or night.

But before you start your Copenhagen adventure make sure to store your belongings in one of our safe luggage storage in Copenhagen. Without further ado, here are the best things to do in Copenhagen when darkness falls.

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Walk Around Nyhavn

Nyhavn or New Harbour is that colorful waterfront you see on almost all photos and postcards of Copenhagen. This 17th-century waterfront was built by King Christian V and it is a port with a rich history that talks about sailors, beer and prostitution. The famous Danish author Hans Christian Andersen lived in Nyhavn for 18 years and it was here where he wrote some of his most famous fairy tales.

Today the canal harbors many old wooden ships and it is one of the most touristy places in Copenhagen. Head down to Nyhavn for a relaxed atmosphere, delicious eats, and live jazz music. Snap photos of the colorful townhouses during the day, and have dinner in this charming neighborhood with your loved ones at night. Nyhavn is also the starting point of many canal tours.

Stroll Down Stroget

Visiting Copenhagen is all about strolling around the city, and strolling down Stroget is highly recommended. Stretching from Nyhavn all the way to Copenhagen Central Station, this is one of the largest pedestrian malls in the world. Expect to find many cafes, restaurants, department stores, art galleries, museums, street entertainment, and more!

Whether you are visiting Stroget during the day or you are out there partying on the weekends, rest assured you'll be surrounded by a bustling atmosphere the entire time. This 2-mile long street has everything a tourist wants in Copenhagen, starting from Tivoli Gardens, Lure Blowers, Glyptotek, and many other popular tourist attractions.

Watch a Movie at Vester Vov Vov

Located in the inner-city district of Vesterbro, Vester Vov Vov is the oldest cafe-cinema in Denmark, open since 1975. This old and charming cinema is a great spot for a movie night out, but don't expect to find blockbuster movies here. They only show niche films and documentaries.

Refresh with a drink in the foyer café at reasonable prices while sitting on antique French furniture. The latest showing starts at 9 pm, so make sure you bring a friend or a date and enjoy a movie night out in this little hidden gem in Copenhagen.

Visit The David Collection Museum at Night

Located near the National Gallery, in the heart of Copenhagen, you will find the David Collection museum. Built in 1945, this museum houses exhibitions of Danish modern art, European and one of the most amazing Islamic art collections. You will see the entire private collection of C.L. David, an art collector, lawyer, and businessman who donated both the building, his former home, and all of these art pieces.

Explore the four floors filled with fascinating art, porcelain, and furniture that will leave you in awe. You even get a digital guide explaining everything as you go. The museum is open until 5 pm but if you happen to be there on Wednesday you can walk around the museum until 9 pm.

Get a Fascinating View of Copenhagen From the Round Tower

There are so many cool things to do in Denmark's capital city and climbing up the Round Tower is one of them. The observatory Rundetaarn was built in the 17th-century and represents one of Europe's oldest functioning observatories. It was part of the many architectural projects of King Christian IV of Denmark and was originally built as an astronomical observatory.

If you are fit, then walking up the 964 feet spiral ramp in circles 7.5 times, to get to the top will be like a walk in the park. Halfway up you will come across the old Library Hall, a venue where many cultural events take place. Once at the top, you will get a 360-degree view of the city with Rosenborg Palace in the distance.

The observatory is open April - September, Monday - Sunday from 10 am - 8 pm, and October - March Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 am - 9 pm, and Thursday - Monday from 10 am - 6 pm.

Note: There are two sets of stairs where the spiral ramp finishes, making the top of the tower inaccessible for visitors in wheelchairs. 

Listen to Live Music at Nemoland

Christianshavn is the hippie neighborhood in Copenhagen. Walk along old brick lanes and explore houses dating back to the 16th century. Take photos of the picturesque canals, or have dinner in one of the boat restaurants in the canals.

Take a walk around Christiania or "free town", the best-known attraction in Chistianshavn, and explore the street art, or stop by some of the best music venues in the city, such as Nemoland. This place gets quite busy during summer, and on Sundays starting from 6 pm, there are free live concerts on their open-air stage.

This neighborhood is the complete opposite of the modern apartment buildings and the Copenhagen Opera House located just within a short walking distance from this hippy enclave.

Admire the Christiansborg Palace

One of the things to add to your Copenhagen itinerary is the Christiansborg Palace. Located on Castle Island, the Christiansborg Palace is not an ordinary palace. The 800 years old Palace was home to the Danish royal family, but today it houses the Danish parliament and the Danish government.

Although closing time is 5 pm, you can admire the beautifully lit Christiansborg palace from the outside at night. If you can stop by and explore the Christiansborg palace during the day, it will be a trip worth taking. Plan a lovely Copenhagen brunch and then take a tour of this beautiful attraction.

Check out the Little Mermaid Statue

Copenhagen is known as the city of fairy tales and as such has to have a fairytale-inspired tourist attraction. The little mermaid is inspired by Hans Christiansen's fairy tale about a mermaid who gave up everything for the love of a prince on land. Made by the sculptor Edvard Eriksen, the famous little mermaid statue was a gift from Carl Jacobsen of Carlsberg Breweries to the city of Copenhagen in 1913.

Located on a rock at Langelinie in the harbor of the city, this little statue is worth the walk along the promenade. Take a seat at one of the benches and enjoy the nice view of the harbor. If not too busy, you may even get to take a photo of the mermaid alone. If you don't feel like walking, a canal boat trip or a hop-on hop-off bus will take you to this popular tourist attraction in Copenhagen.

Marvel at the Beauty of Rosenborg Castle

Located in the center of Copenhagen, Rosenborg Castle is one of the beauties in the city you shouldn't miss. This lavish palace dates back to the 17th-century and it is part of the many renaissance architectural projects completed during the ruling of the most famous Scandinavian king, Christian IV. Today, the Rosenborg Castle is a museum open for tourists with the treasury being the most popular.

Step inside the treasury and marvel at the Crown Jewels and the Royal Regalia. Walk around the castle and discover different rooms that feature historic tapestries charting 1000 years of Danish history. The castle is also home to an exquisite collection of Flora Danica dinnerware as well as one of the world’s best Venetian glass collections, both located in the tower chambers.

Situated in Kongens Have or the King's Garden, the entrance to this palace is free with the Copenhagen City Card or The Park Museum Ticket, and although it closes at 4 pm you can still admire the magically lit castle at night.

Enjoy the Rides in Tivoli Gardens

One of the best things to do in the city at night is to visit the Tivoli Gardens. This magical garden is located in the heart of Copenhagen and offers so much fun for kids and adults alike. Tivoli Gardens is the second oldest amusement park in the world, after Bakken Amusement Park.

Whether you want to take a ride or dine in a Michelin-starred restaurant or take the Ferris wheel for a spectacular view of the city, you can do all of that here and more! Be prepared to spend anywhere between 4-7 hours in the park. They are open from 11 am to 10 pm Monday - Thursday and 11 am - 11 pm Friday and Saturday. The entrance is up to $20, but with the Copenhagen Card, you get free admission.

Besides the amusement park, there are beautifully manicured gardens that you can wander around and take amazing photos of.

Bakken Amusement Park

Dating back to 1583, the retro Bakken Park is the oldest operating amusement park in the world. With over 150 attractions, including an 82-year-old wooden roller coaster, the park is perfect for a fun evening out with the family. Although the entrance is free, the rides and attractions are not.

There are some stomach-churning rides but you will also find gaming arcades, face painting, shooting stalls, and a lot of entertainment for any age! Located in Deer Park, just within a 10-minute ride to the North of Copenhagen, you also get to spot herds, rent a bike, or hike. If you are not coming by car, take a train from Central Train Station to Klampenborg. From there the Bakken park is within a short walk.

Bakken park also offers plenty of eateries, shops, pubs with live music, and more! During summer it is open daily, but from September to April is open only Friday 2 pm - 9 pm, Saturday 12 pm - 9 pm, and Sunday 12 pm - 7 pm.

Go on a Canal Tour

Copenhagen has picturesque canals that ask for a canal tour. This is an excellent way to get a slightly different view of the city and all of its major highlights. A classic tour starts from $15.

The canal tours take anywhere from 1 - 2 hours and expect to see famous landmarks like Amalienborg Palace, the winter home of the Danish Royal family, the Little Mermaid statue, the picture-perfect Nyhavn waterfront, and many more new and old attractions.

King Christian IV loved Holand, and he created the canals to give the city of Copenhagen the look and the feel of Amsterdam. However, the canals were used to serve a more practical reason, to protect the Royal Danish Navy fleet.

See Denmark's Past and More

You see, the Danish capital is such a great city, with so much to offer day and night. From historic buildings to galleries with exquisite collections of European art, majestic palaces, and castles, to enjoying your favorite cocktail in a trendy cocktail bar, Copenhagen Denmark is a city that you will want to visit over and over again.

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